KEY STEPS

Many of the Small Island Developing States are part of the group of Least Developed Countries
(LDCs). They have limited ability to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
In recognition of this, the Conference of the Parties established a work programme that
included National Adaptation
Programmes of Action (NAPAs) to support LDCs in addressing the challenge of climate change given
their particular vulnerability.

NAPAs provide a process for the Least Developed
Countries to identify priority activities that respond to their urgent and immediate needs with
regard to adaptation to climate change. In the NAPA process, prominence is given to
community-level input as an important source of information, recognizing that grassroots communities
are the main stakeholders. NAPAs use existing information and no new research is needed. They are
action-oriented, country-driven, are flexible and based on national circumstances.

A selection of projects undertaken by small island developing states are featured below.

Increasing Resilience of Coastal Areas and Community Settlements to Climate Change in Tuvalu

Tuvalu consists of nine low-lying islands with the landmass of 26 km2 in the vast ocean of the
South Pacific. While most news headlines on climate change tend to emphasize, quite rightly,
the existential threats on this tiny nation from sea-level rise, there are many other aspects
of climate change impacts that have received less attention by the international community than
they deserve, but have extraordinary impacts on communities' vulnerability.View
video "Essential Adaptation: Planning for Climate Change"

Haiti Experiences with the NAPA Process

Located on the western side of the Hispaniola Island which it shares with the Dominican Republic,
Haiti is a mostly mountainous country. The country has lost most of its forest cover and is thus
prone to erosion processes. It has also been increasingly affected by natural disasters such as
hurricanes and tropical storms and also by floods and droughts, the impacts of which are aggravated
by unsound urbanization practices, the use of natural resources and waste management. The population,
two thirds of which depend on the agricultural sector, is highly vulnerable to climate variations.
Haiti is still recovering from its most severe earthquake in 200 years, which hit the country in
January 2010. The most vulnerable sectors to climate change are: agriculture and land degradation;
coastal zones; and water management. More

Adapting Water Resource Management in Comoros to Increase Capacity to Cope with Climate
Change

Climate change is likely to adversely affect the Comoros by resulting in: i) changes in rainfall
levels and patterns; ii) increased temperatures; iii) sea level rise and iv) an increased frequency
of climatic hazards such as tropical cyclones, droughts, episodes of heavy rainfall and
flooding. Exacerbating these climate change impacts are the inherent environmental
vulnerabilities of SIDSthe Small Island Developing States (SIDS) (including small land area,
susceptibility to natural disasters, geographical isolation, limited natural resources and sensitive
ecosystems) of which the Comoros is part. This, superimposed on existing anthropogenic practices
(such as the quickening pace of deforestation rates for agricultural production), threatens water
security, food security, economic growth and the livelihoods of communities within the Union of the
Comoros. More

Kiribati Experiences with the NAPA Process

Kiribati is located in the central Pacific region and is comprised of 33 atolls with approximately
800 km2 of land area. The maximum height found on any of the atolls is 4 m, which makes the country
vulnerable to sea level increases, saltwater intrusion and floods. The vulnerability and adaptation
studies carried out in the country showed that the largest impact of climate change would be loss of
coastal infrastructures due to inundation. Moreover, bleaching of coral reefs would result in loss of
fish production. The combined effects of coastal erosion due to sea level rise, precipitation changes
and higher temperatures would result in considerable reduction of the thickness of water lenses.
Climate change would be likely to increase the epidemic potential of dengue fever and the incidence
of tropical diseases. Sea level rise would also affect agriculture due to saltwater intrusion and
loss of coastal land, thereby reducing land available for agriculture. More

Enhancing the Climate-resilience of Tourism-reliant Communities in Samoa

The objective of this project is to increase the resilience of the tourism sector of Samoa through
mainstreaming climate risks into tourism-related policy and adaptation actions in coastal communities
and tourism operators. Tourism is a vital economic force in Samoa representing around 30% of GDP, and
providing a livelihood to many local businesses in the accommodation, catering and transport
sub-sectors, providing broader income opportunities through its knock on effects in the tourism value
chain, such as handicrafts and agricultural production. The benefits from tourism nationally and
for local communities go well beyond direct economic impacts. More

Sao Tome and Principe Experiences with the NAPA Process

The archipelago of Sao Tome and Principe is located off the western coast of Guinea and is comprised
of two main islands and four islets. The country’s economy revolves mostly around agriculture
and fishing, sectors which are highly vulnerable to climate change. Sao Tome and Principe is
considered very vulnerable to climate change, with a low capacity to absorb and adapt to ecosystem
disturbances. Fisheries seem to be more greatly affected due to the use of traditional practices that
are often unable to cope with the recurrence of storms and floods and extensive coastal erosion. The
fishing industry is considered very important in Sao Tome and Principe, as artisanal fisheries are
estimated to employ 20 per cent of the nation’s workforce and represent one of the main
employment opportunities in rural areas. The agricultural and forestry sectors are also vulnerable to
harsher environmental conditions such as drought, soil erosion leading to desertification and
flood-induced landfalls. More